Jackson County Rededicates Truman Courthouse in Independence

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Eighty years after then Presiding Jackson County Judge Harry S. Truman renovated the same building, elected officials and dignitaries celebrated the restoration of the Historic Truman Courthouse in downtown Independence.

Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders Sanders was joined Saturday Sept. 7 by United States Senator Roy Blunt, former United States Congressman Ike Skelton, and Independence Mayor Don Reimal in formally rededicating the Truman Courthouse.

Over the past year, the courthouse has undergone $5.6 million in interior renovations. The work was done by Piper-Wind Architects, Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri and Universal Construction Company of Lenexa, Kansas.

“The successful completion of this project is a shining example of how our government can work efficiently and effectively,” Sanders said. “It is important that we keep iconic structures like the Truman Courthouse open so that our citizens today as well as future generations can learn about and experience the rich history of Jackson County.”

The historic courthouse, which has been restored to the integrity of its 1933 design, will offer various attractions including tours of President Truman’s office and the courtroom where he once worked as Presiding Judge of Jackson County. The courthouse also features an art museum.

The historic structure will also be a working courthouse once again by housing county staff from the Assessment, Collections, and Recorder of Deeds Departments. The Independence Department of Tourism and Jackson County Historical Society will be housed in the courthouse as well.

The public was able to tour the Truman Courthouse Saturday, however, the courthouse will be closed next week so that county staff can move into the building.

The Truman Courthouse will officially open for business at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.

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